Healthy Skin and Coat on the Outside Healthy Dog on the Inside As dog lovers and experienced dog owners ourselves, we know that the condition of a dog's skin and coat is frequently a reflection of overall health. Poor skin health can sometimes be traced to dietary insufficiencies or imbalances. Problems with the skin and coat are never just cosmetic. Symptoms such as hair loss, thinning coat, dullness, dry flaky skin, excessive scratching, thickened skin, infections, and odors can often be traced back to either a shortage or an excess of a specific nutrient. In fact, there is no more visible indicator of problems with your dog's overall health than problems with the skin and coat. The right nutrients in the right proportions are indispensable to keeping your dog healthy.